Taking Care Of Your Spinal Cord And Why It Is Important
The spinal column is an important part of your body. Its health can affect your overall well-being and comfort. It is responsible for holding your body upright, keeping your balance, and protecting your central nervous system. While your spine serves important bodily functions, it is easy to injure or damage it.
Your spine can get hurt due to reasons as simple as your posture, lifestyle choices to something severe such as an accident. Vehicular accidents and falls are the top common causes of these injuries for younger people and people aged 65 or more. Spinal cord injuries, also known as SCI, can affect the quality of your life. It can result in back pains, headaches, muscle pains, and sleep problems, among many others. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association estimates that around 450,000 people in the U.S. are suffering from SCI.
There are two classifications of SCI. A complete SCI results in the total loss of sensory and motor functions below the injury. Around 50{f40f2a8169045e3ac6f44e31cb573b271764227fff173d5860f2fc09c3872fc6} of the number of spinal injuries fall in this category. In an incomplete SCI, the person might be able to move his legs and other body parts below the injury level. A person’s chances of recovery also decrease if the injury is much more severe.
SCI’s common symptoms include severe back and neck pains, severe headache, loss of sensation in the hands or feet, complete or partial loss of control over certain parts of your body, and urinary and bowel problems, among many others. If you get into a vehicular accident and experience chronic back pain, a chiropractic physician can help you with pain management.
Do not wait until you experience symptoms of SCI. You should take care of your spine to ensure its optimum health and to reduce your risks of back pains later on in your life.
- Stretch Daily.
A little stretching of your body can go a long way for your spine’s wellness. Stretch your back and your neck. Flexibility helps your joint function. It also helps keep your range of motion, as well as reduces your risks of getting injured. A few minutes of stretching will not only make you feel better and awake, but it also promotes good spinal health.
- Exercise Regularly.
Staying active is one of the easiest ways to help promote spinal health. Being physically active reduces your risks of experiencing back pain later on as you age. Take brisk walks, jog, or bike around the neighborhood. Play with your kids or walk your dogs.
Exercise facilitates the exchange of fluids between the discs of your spine. The exchange of fluids delivers the needed nutrition to the discs and helps reduce swelling in the tissues around injured discs. Exercise also promotes flexibility of your tendons and reduces back stiffness. It helps repair your back muscles and strengthens them at the same time.
Unless you are recovering from an injury and your doctor prohibits you from exercising, include at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercises in your daily routine.
- Maintain Your Ideal And Healthy Weight.
Working to keep your weight healthy does not only make you look good. It also helps to keep your back in prime condition. Being overweight is one of the risk factors for back pain. Your excess weight adds to the additional strain on your lower back.
The goal of maintaining your ideal health coincides with your goal of exercising regularly. Maintaining a healthy weight is not only good for you back. It also helps you reduce your risks for other diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and high blood pressure.
- Lift Things Right.
Improper lifting of heavy things can easily and quickly damage your back. If you lift a heavy object, it is best to ask for help to distribute its weight. When lifting an object, remember to stand as close as you can to the object. Spread your feet apart, and bend your knees. Don’t bend your waist. Use your leg muscles when you start to lift. Keep your back straight, and do not twist your body.
- Make Sure You Sleep Well.
The quality of your sleep affects your overall health. Your body repairs itself during your sleep. Avoid sleeping on your stomach as it puts excessive pressure on the spine. Sleep on your side to help prevent sleep apnea. It can also give you a better and restful night’s sleep.
- Watch Your Fluid Intake.
Staying hydrated is essential to maintain the elasticity of your tissues as well as your joint fluidity. Your spinal discs will shrink if it becomes dehydrated. You become vulnerable to spinal problems when your discs shrink.
For instance, slipped discs occur when your discs lose fluid, and they end up being brittle. These brittle discs eventually slip out of their place. Slipped discs can result in sciatica, a type of back pain that affects one of your legs.
- See An Expert.
Do not wait until you feel any pain to visit your physician or a chiropractor. Sitting eight hours a day at work can put a lot of stress on your spine. If you are constantly lifting heavy objects, you might want to have your back checked. Chiropractic care also focuses on the maintenance of your spine and the prevention of painful spinal injuries.
Taking good care of your back and your spine is important to ensure a healthier and happier you. Pay attention to warning signs, and don’t ignore back pains that last for days. Remember to take it easy on your body and rest when needed.
Meta Title: How to Keep Your Spine Healthy
Meta Description: Your spine, as with all body parts, performs essential functions for your body. Severe back pain can significantly affect the quality of your life. Take care of your back and spine to avoid painful injuries.
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